Muzzle advice please

[Weezer]

I’m working with my vet to treat an injury on a front paw of my beagle. He’s been removing the bandage and the boot that I’ve tried putting on his foot. When I finally gave in and put a cone on him, he went into an immediate state of anxiety (he has a history of anxiety). Even if I work through that with him, the cone doesn’t fit through the dog door so for the two days a week I’m away from the house for over ten hours the cone won’t work. I’m giving the dog benadryl, antibiotics and NSAIDS. He doesn’t chew at his bandage when I’m around because he understands that he’ll get in trouble. But if I leave for 5 minutes, when I come back the bandage is off and the wound is licked raw.

I just picked up a rubber basket muzzle for him to see if that will work. He accepted that much better than the cone. Is it safe to leave it on him all day for the two days I do have to go into the office? I’ll spend the next few days getting him used to eating and drinking in it, and checking for signs of rubs. The box says not to leave a dog unattended with a muzzle, but the only risk I see is him getting caught on something. I may try to replace the clasp on it with a break-away clasp so it will break if he does get caught. When he goes outside he’s securely fenced by a tall fence so he’s not at risk of getting attacked by anything. Any other risks I should be aware of?

[Alterwho]

Have you tried no chew bandages, they’ve always worked great with my dogs

[Weezer]

No chew bandages and bitter spray are nothing to this dog. I’ve had success with putting hot sauce on his bandage, but then we end up with hot sauce all over everything. He seems fine with the muzzle so I’m inclined to stick with it. I’m thinking if I can keep him from licking his paw for about one week, it should be sufficiently healed after that.

[cilla1]

What about the inflatable alternative to cone?

A friend’s dog was very scared of the cone but had no problem with this one, he also used it as a pillow

[luvmyhackney]

If he’s a beagle, nothing taste bad.

You can use a muzzle but it must allow pant room and to be able to drink in it. I would be hesitant to leave it on unsupervised but that’s my experience with my dogs.

I use a donut for my beagle if he has an injury, plus plenty of tasty chews.

[Jarpur]

When my dog was spayed last year, the veterinarian said that they didn’t like to use cones anymore, and preferred the inflatable collar as mentioned above.

Best wishes with your dog. I had a beagle when I was little - they are characters!

[Pico_Banana]

I tend to use basket muzzles with my greyhounds, too. The risk of leaving it on them unattended is if they vomit. They could end up choking to death. While the risk seems low, Iim too scared to risk it myself.

I think they make boots that have a strap that goes over their neck so they can’t get them off. Or what about a fabric cone?

I’ve been through this cycle myself … good progress and then you’re right back where you started. It sucks.

[Pico_Banana]

I can’t seem to find what I thought I had seen, but maybe you could jury rig something with this?

https://www.suitical.com/products/recovery-sleeve-dog/

Maybe sew your foot bandage onto the sleeve? I can’t sew to save my life but I’ve been known to make something like this work.

Or actually, put the boot on, then get a pair of girls tights, cut off one leg, and put the leg over your dog’s leg and slip the cutoff leg opening over his head.

[Weezer]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I read in a few places that the inflatable collars don’t prevent them from licking front paws, so that won’t work. Yesterday I picked up a fabric cone, which the dog seems fine with, but so far he won’t go out the dog door with it on. I think he’s afraid to navigate the step down because he will come in the house wearing it. I may have to send him to doggy daycare on the days that I go into the office. This is getting really expensive.

[mommy_peanut]

My dogs are all muzzle trained, just for a “in case” situation & don’t stress when it’s on.
However, I wouldn’t ever leave one on them unsupervised.

If using one for longer periods of time, make sure its design is one that allows the dog to fully pant & able to drink.
Not all muzzles are created equal.

This is the type of muzzle I’d look for (doesn’t have to be made of wire).

Rather than this type of muzzle below.
Good for preventing bites, not good for panting/drinking.

[Weezer]

Thanks for the tip. This is the kind of muzzle I’m using. It’s rubber and the dog doesn’t seem to mind it at all - eats, drinks, sleeps and howls no problem. I’ve left it on him for a few hours while out of the house, but I do worry about him getting it caught on something. I have the same worry with the cone as my dogs don’t even wear collars in the house.

[Weezer]

I was able to coax him through the dog door with his fabric cone a few times so now he’s going in and out with it. So I’ve switched to using the cone rather than the muzzle. Thanks everyone!